SORANO/PITIGLIANO
(to the northwest of the lake, about 45-50 minutes)
Perched on a cliff and literally dug into the rock, Sorano’s imposing walls and city gates give onto a series of enchanting winding streets and alleys, and stairs that rise and fall as you wander along. The massive Orsini fortress is a magnificent reminder of the town’s history and from there as well as on other spots along the way you can catch a glimpse of the woods and ruins that lie far below. In late summer, Sorano hosts an incredible fair with local artisans which is not to be missed.
In nearby Sovano, there is the Parco Archeologico Città del Tufo with ancient tombs and the vie Cave -mysterious channels carved out of the stone by the Etruscans for unknown uses but which are now used for an enchanting stroll.
Another Etruscan city, Pitigliano was ruled over first by the Orsini family during the 15th century and later by the Medici’s. It is known as “Little Jerusalem” because of its flourishing jewish population starting in the 16th century who found a safe haven there from the increased persecution of jews during the period of the Counter Reformation. Their commerce in wheat, textiles, spices and money lending contributed to the economic prosperity of the city. The nobleman Niccolò IV Orsini first gave land for the creation of a Jewish cemetery in 1556 and later a synagogue, and the 15th Palazzo Orini is interesting to visit in its own right, but also houses a well-organized archaeological museum (unfortunately when we were last there, with explanations only in Italian).
